Source: CNBC.com
You are planning to start a family and thinking which type of flat you should get. HDB offers 99-year lease flats of different types with different sizes to cater to various household sizes and budgets. To offer flat buyers more choices, HDB also have Executive Condominiums (EC), which are built by private developers and come with a 99-year lease. ECs also offer facilities and designs similar to private condominiums.
Let’s look at the various flat types and which is most suitable for you:
2-room Flexi flat
This type of flats comes with 1 bedroom and 1 bathroom. Typical size range from 36 to 45 sqm. The 2-room Flexi Scheme unifies the Studio Apartment (SA) and 2-room flat schemes. It can accommodate different buyers like families, singles, and elderly, and offers a choice of lease and fittings.
For those under the age of 55, you can apply for a 2-room flat via the BTO (Built-to-Order) exercise through the Singles Scheme if you’re 35 or over, or the Joint Singles Scheme. For the elderly, the flat will be offered with a flexible lease instead of the standard 99 year lease.
Flat features
About 36 square metres (Type 1) and 45 square metres (Type 2)
1 bedroom
1 bathroom
Kitchen
Storeroom-cum-apartment shelter
3-room flat
3-room flats which come with 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms are ideal for families that are looking for a cosy and compact home. The size ranges from 60 to 65 sqm, so if you are planning on expanding the family in the future, you will have to consider if this size is adequate, otherwise, you may have to upgrade to a bigger flat.
Flat features
About 60 to 65 square metres
2 bedrooms, 1 of which is a master bedroom with attached bathroom
Kitchen
Living/ dining area
Common bathroom
Service yard
Storeroom-cum-apartment shelter
4-room flat
About 90 sqm, 4-room flats provide families with a versatile and comfortable living space. With 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, this type of flats are the common and most popular with most Singaporeans.
Flat features
About 90 square metres
3 bedrooms, 1 of which is a master bedroom with attached bathroom
Living/ dining area
Kitchen
Common bathroom
Service yard
Storeroom-cum-apartment shelter
5-room flat
The size of 5-room flats is 110 sqm. Larger households can consider our 5-room flats, which are more spacious. This flat type has 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, similar to 4-room flat but with more living/dining room area. Some 5-room flats also comes with a balcony.
Flat features
About 110 square metres
3 bedrooms, 1 of which is a master bedroom with attached bathroom
Living/ dining area
Kitchen
Common bathroom
Service yard
Storeroom-cum-apartment shelter
3Gen flat
3Gen flats are designed to meet the needs of multi-generation families. With an area size of 115 sqm, it has 4 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms. A multi-generation family comprises of at least a married couple and the parents of either spouse. The members of both generations must be listed as the owner/ occupier of the flat. You can only sell your 3Gen flat to another multi-generation family.
Flat features
About 115 square metres
4 bedrooms, 2 of which have attached bathrooms
Living/ dining area
Kitchen
Common bathroom
Service yard
Storage-cum-apartment shelter
Executive flat
The largest flats at 130 sqm, executive flats are similar to 5-room flat with 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, but comes with an additional space for a study room and in some instances, comes with a balcony as well.
Flat features
About 130 square metres
Living area
Dining area
Kitchen
1 master bedroom with attached bathroom
2 additional bedrooms
Common bathroom
Storeroom-cum-apartment shelter
Executive Condominium (EC)
EC is a hybrid of public and private housing. They are similar to private condominiums and are enclosed within a gated compound with security, amenities like swimming pools, clubhouses, playgrounds and so forth.
EC are built and sold by private developers, but at a price lower than private homes because their land prices are subsidised by the Government. Additionally, buyers can take Central Provident Fund (CPF) grants to pay for an EC bought from a developer.
As such, an EC is subject to certain regulations that apply to HDB flats. In order to qualify for an EC, buyers' monthly household income must not exceed $16,000.
There is also a minimum occupancy period of five years; during which the EC cannot be sold or rented out whole. After five years, the EC can only be sold to Singaporeans or Singaporean Permanent Residents (PRs). After an occupation period of 10 years, the EC can be sold to foreigners.
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